How 'I Love LA' Star Josh Hutcherson Set His Boyfriend Character Apart
Josh Hutcherson joined Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy “I Love LA” during a recasting phase following the initial pilot. Despite joining late, he had significant influence in shaping his character, Dylan — the long-term live-in partner of Sennott’s character, Maia.
Working closely with Sennott and co-showrunner Emma Barrie, Hutcherson explored the nuances and motivations behind Dylan's personality, aiming to go beyond simple character tropes.
“We very quickly all got on the same page, which was we didn’t want Dylan to just be the square, the boring, nothing guy,” Hutcherson told TheWrap. “We wanted to find some textures to him that felt funny and dynamic and different, rather than something that we’ve seen before.”
Through collaboration, the creative team redefined Dylan’s role, departing from the version initially portrayed by Miles Robbins in the pilot. They focused on Dylan’s emotional depth, desires, and reasons for staying with Maia, making the character feel authentic and evolving beyond the script.
Author’s Summary
Josh Hutcherson reinvented his “I Love LA” character, shaping Dylan into a richer and more relatable figure distinct from early drafts and common sitcom stereotypes.